Summer Solstice Celebration began in 1974 as a birthday celebration for artist/mime, Michael Gonzales and has grown into the largest arts event in Santa Barbara County, the spectacular parade drawing crowds of 100,000 spectators to the parade, which has over 1200 participants, and 50,000+ attend the three day arts and music festival, which is free to the public.
What is unique about Solstice is that participants from the communitycreate the floats, giant puppets, masks, costumes under the mentorship of our paid staff in a 2-month Workshop. Plus we have a scholarship program for disadvantaged youth, outreach to seniors. The Festival features two stages, the Main Stage and the Santa Barbara Bowl tCommUnity Stage, , a Children's Mini-Fest & Parade, Beer & Wine Garden, VIP areas, non-stop entertainment, DJ area, arts and crafts booths from around the world, a drum circle, a dog fashion show, festival activations like the Expression Wall, Bubble Flash Mobs
